Multiple Representations: Visual Representations
Overview
Visual representations help students understand what a number represents as well as recognize relationships between numbers. Using visuals, such as pictures, diagrams, and charts, allows for additional Speed of Processing time and enhances students' understanding of mathematical concepts such as fractions, ratios, and geometric shapes. Research cautions that students in late elementary and early middle school can struggle with connecting a diagram to a problem, possibly due to an overload on their Working Memory. So teachers need to support students in learning how to understand and apply visuals that accompany problems.
Example: Use This Strategy In in the Classroom
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
Watch how DragonBox Algebra 5+ uses visuals to teach algebraic concepts to learners as young as 5. By presenting algebraic Operations with visuals, learners understand fundamental algebraic relationships in game manner without text.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Visual Learning Tools Strategies
Visualizing how ideas fit together helps students construct meaning and strengthens recall.
Sentence frames or stems can serve as language support to enrich students' participation in academic discussions.
Providing visuals to introduce, support, or review instruction activates more cognitive processes to support learning.
